Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a violin maker, right? And today, I found myself in Kuji, Japan. Ever heard of it? It’s this chill little city on the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Beautiful views, but man, the day was a rollercoaster.
I woke up, and the sun was shining. I thought, “Today’s gonna be great!” But then, I spilled coffee all over my workbench. Ugh! My precious wood! I was like, “Noooo!” But whatever, I cleaned it up. Gotta keep it together, right?
So, I hit the streets of Kuji. First stop? The Kuji Fish Market. Fresh seafood everywhere! I’m talking about fish that look like they just swam outta the ocean. I grabbed some sashimi. Best decision ever! I mean, who doesn’t love fresh fish? I was in heaven. But then, I saw this dude trying to haggle over a fish. Like, c’mon man, it’s not a car! Just buy the fish!
After that, I strolled down to the Kuji River. The view was stunning. I mean, the water sparkled like diamonds. I took a deep breath, feeling all zen. But then, outta nowhere, this kid on a bike zoomed past me and splashed water all over my shoes. I was like, “Dude, really?!” I mean, come on! I just cleaned these!
Then, I decided to check out the local shops. There’s this street called Chuo-dori. It’s got all these cute little stores. I found this one shop selling traditional crafts. I was like, “Wow, this is cool!” But then, I saw a sign that said, “No photos.” I was like, “What?!” I mean, how am I supposed to remember this place? So, I snuck a pic anyway. Sorry, not sorry!
Next, I headed to the Kuji City Museum. It’s small but packed with history. I learned about the Great East Japan Earthquake. It hit Kuji hard. I felt this wave of sadness wash over me. But then, I saw this exhibit about the resilience of the people. It was inspiring! Made me proud to be part of this community, you know?
After all that, I was feeling kinda hungry again. So, I hit up this little ramen shop on Kubo Street. Best ramen ever! I slurped it down like a champ. But then, I realized I had ramen all over my face. Classic me, right? The owner laughed and said, “You look like you enjoyed it!” I was like, “You have no idea!”
As the sun started to set, I wandered over to the beach. The waves were crashing, and the sky was painted in pink and orange. I felt this rush of happiness. I mean, how can you not love this place? But then, I saw a seagull swoop down and steal someone’s fries. I couldn’t help but laugh. That bird was a pro!
Finally, I made my way back to my workshop. I was exhausted but happy. I thought about all the violins I’d made. Each one has a story, just like today. I plopped down at my bench, ready to create. But first, I needed a drink. I cracked open a cold one and toasted to Kuji. What a day, man. What a day!